Case Study

Powering the Olympics: Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnels

The Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel project was a critical £130m utility scheme delivered for National Grid and EDF, primarily to move overhead power lines underground in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Working for Murphy starting in 2007, Tunnelcraft supported the construction of a vast network of cable tunnels designed to modernise the regional power grid. The project required the simultaneous management of multiple drives and the construction of several deep shafts to facilitate the installation of high-voltage electrical circuits across East London.

View Full Gallery

Client

EDF / National Grid

Main Contractor

Murphy

Date Started

August 2007

Contract Value

£130m

Overview

Our scope was centred on the delivery of multiple tunnel drives using a diverse range of boring technologies. We successfully managed five Lovat TBM drives to create two parallel 4.5m ID cable tunnels, as well as a specialised 6ft Pipe Jack and a Backhoe shield drive. To support these TBM operations, we managed the construction of seven shafts, with internal diameters ranging from 7.5m to 15m. Our teams ensured the precision and structural integrity of each drive, navigating the varied ground conditions of the Lea Valley to deliver a seamless subterranean corridor for critical energy assets.